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West Ham should join Everton in race to sign Tomkins

West Ham are likely to busy in the upcoming transfer window, which begins in just 10 days' time.

David Moyes' priorities in the January transfer window at West Ham United are likely to include a striker and a central midfielder, but what the Hammers need the most is a centre-back.

Other than Declan Rice, West Ham are littered with injury-prone centre-backs. Jose Fonte remains on the sidelines with a calf injury, James Collins has only just returned from an ankle problem, while Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna have suffered their fair share of injuries.

Fonte has been nowhere near good enough since joining the Hammers in January for £8million, while Collins is now 34 and Rice is almost half his age. The Hammers need another centre-back, especially with Moyes playing three at the back.

The report claims the classy centre-back is valued at around the £20million mark, which would make him the most expensive Englishman yet to be capped by the Three Lions. Currently, that player is Watford's Andre Gray.

Tomkins has been instrumental to Palace's revival, playing in five of the Eagles' seven-match unbeaten run. Of those seven, three have been wins and Tomkins has played all 90 minutes of the victories against Stoke, Watford and Leicester.

With the Hammers fighting against relegation, they need a player that mirrors the passion and desire of captain Mark Noble, and Tomkins can certainly provide that after coming through the Hammers' academy and making 245 appearances for Moyes' side.

Bringing Tomkins to the London Stadium would give Moyes a player who is rarely on the treatment table, young and in the peak of his career but most important a player that will carry the fans' passion in his heart.

Will Butcher

Sports journalist who graduated in 2016 from Staffordshire University, and has since worked for Football Insider. Obsessed with anything football related. Still dreaming of a Premier League return for Leeds United.